A maritime county of the province of
ULSTER, bounded on the east and south-east by the counties of Londonderry,
Tyrone, and Fermanagh, from the first-named of which it is separated by
Lough Foyle; on the south, by the northern extremity of the county of
Leitrim

and by Donegal bay, and on the west and
north by the Atlantic. It extends from 54° 28' to 55° 20' (N. Lat), and from
6° 48' to 8° 40' (W. Lon.); comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, a
surface of 1,165,107 statute acres, of which 520,736 are cultivated land,

and 644,371 unimproved mountain and bog.
The population, in 1821, was 248,270, and in 1831, 291,104.

The county is chiefly in the diocese of
Raphoe, but parts of it extend into those of Derry and Clogher. For purposes
of civil jurisdiction it is divided into the baronies of Raphoe, Kilmacrenan,
Ennishowen, Tyrhugh, Bannagh and Boylagh. It contains the disfranchised
borough, sea-port and market-towns of Ballyshannon, Donegal, and Killybegs;
the disfranchised borough and market-town of Lifford; the disfranchised
borough of St. Johnstown; the market and post-towns of Letterkenny, Ramelton,
Raphoe, Carn, Stranorlar, Buncrana, and Moville Upper; the post-towns of
Castlefin, Dunfanaghy, Ardara, Dungloe, and Narin, and several other small
towns and villages, of which Bundoran, Mount-Charles, and Rathmullen have
each a penny post. Prior to the union the county sent 12 members to
parliament; two for the county at large, and two for each of the above-named
boroughs, but, subsequently, it has been represented by the two county
members only, who are elected at Lifford. The number of voters registered in
January, 1836, was 1745; of whom 181 were freeholders of £50, 169 of £20,
and 1159 of £10 per ann.; 33 clergymen of £50, and 1 of £20, being the
freeholds of their respective benefices; 1 rent-charger of £50, and 10 of
£20; and 48 leaseholders of £20, and 143 of £10. It is included in the
north-western circuit. Lifford, where the county gaol and court-house are
situated, is the assize town; quarter sessions are held four times in the
year at Donegal, twice at Letterkenny, and once at Lifford and Buncrana.
There are bridewells at Letterkenny and Donegal, and session-houses at each
of those places and at Buncrana. The local government is vested in a
lieutenant,

19 deputy-lieutenants, and 66 other
magistrates, with the usual county officers. The number of persons charged
with criminal offences and committed, in 1835, was 472, and of civil bill
commitments, 49. There are 29 constabulary police stations, having a force
of one stipendiary magistrate 7 chief and 30 subordinate constables and 116
men, with nine horses, the expense of whose maintenance is defrayed by equal
Grand Jury presentments and by Government. The district lunatic asylum is in
Londonderry and the county infirmary at Lifford. There are dispensaries at
Lifford, Ballintra, Raphoe, Taughboyne, Killybegs, Moville, Clonmany,
Killygarvan, Kilmacrenan, Kilcar, Letterkenny, Donegal, Muff, Culdaff,
Stranorlar, Rutland, Donagh, Killygorden, Dunkaneely, Ramelton, Buncrana,
Careygart, Ballyshannon, Dunfanaghy, and

Mount-Charles, maintained by voluntary
subscriptions and Grand Jury presentments in equal proportions. The amount
of Grand Jury presentments for 1835 was £27,609. 1. 4., of which £163. 10.
was for the public roads of the county at large; £14,799. 2. 4. for the
public roads,

being the baronial charge; £5301. 18. 11
1/2. for public buildings and charities, officers' salaries, &c.; £3480. 10.
3. for police; and £3863. 19. 9 1/2. in repayment of a loan advanced by
Government. In the military arrangements the county is in the northern
district.

There are infantry barracks at Lifford
and Ballyshannon, and artillery forts at Greencastle, Inch island, Rutland
island, and at several places along the shores of Lough Swilly, each of
which, except Greencastle, is garrisoned by a single gunner.

Extract from A Topographical Dictionary
Of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, 1837